When Gu Sisi woke up, the morning sun was just shining through the window.
She sat there on the bed in a daze. If it weren't for the soreness in the back of her neck and the coolness on it, she might really think it was just a dream.
But all these were reminding her that it was real. Although she was in Huo Cheng's room, she was still wearing yesterday's clothes.
It was even more dreamlike than a dream.
Gu Sisi's mind was in a complete mess, not knowing where to start sorting out her thoughts.
There was a knock on the door. Gu Sisi just stared at it silently.
After a while, a voice came from outside, "Miss Gu, get ready today. Miss Huo the Fifth is coming back."
Gu Sisi listened blankly. By the time she came to her senses and opened the door, the person was already gone.
She returned to the room with her mouth agape in surprise. What Miss the Fifth?
Weren't there only four people in the group photo? Did she remember it wrong?
Gu Sisi immediately flipped open the photo album and turned to the page with the group photo. She counted and confirmed that there were only four people.
She started to identify them one by one. The tallest girl should be the eldest sister, the shorter one was the second brother, the third brother... Gu Sisi suddenly stopped. Why did they look nothing like the people she had seen?
Although it was not very clear, Gu Sisi was quite sure that the third young master looked very much like Huo Cheng, not only in temperament but also in facial features. Although there were slight differences, the two people in the photo were completely unlike each other.
Where was the error? Gu Sisi was stumped.
But there was no time to think further. Gu Sisi immediately opened the wardrobe full of clothes belonging to Huo Cheng. She randomly changed into one, put on a light makeup, and then quietly waited.
After a long while, there was another knock on the door. A voice came, "Miss Gu, Madam is urging again."
Gu Sisi then gently opened the door, nodded, and slowly followed the person who had come to inform her.
When she reached the dining room, as expected, there was an extra chair beside her. A vibrant young girl was sitting on it. When she saw Gu Sisi coming.
She beamed, "Hello!"
With her eyes curved, she was very likable. Gu Sisi immediately nodded and flashed a smile, "Hello."
It seemed that this was Miss the Fifth.
The eldest sister and the second brother also strolled in. Father and Mother Huo took their seats.
From their conversation, Gu Sisi finally understood why she hadn't seen Miss Huo the Fifth before.
It was because she had been studying abroad and had come back for a visit this time.
"When are you going back to school?" the eldest sister asked.
Miss the Fifth shook her head, "No hurry! There aren't many classes during this period."
"Alright. Since you've finally come back, eat more. Stop talking about these things." Mother Huo spoke up, and the room fell silent again.
After the meal, Gu Sisi silently walked to the garden for a stroll, still thinking about what had happened yesterday.
That third young master was just too mysterious! Just thinking about it made Gu Sisi shiver. Forget it, she'd better worry about Huo Cheng!
"Can I sit here?" A friendly voice came from above her head.
Gu Sisi looked up. It was indeed Miss the Fifth whom she had seen in the dining room.
She immediately replied, "Sure!"
Wasn't this her home? There was no need to ask her at all!
"Actually, there are many reasons for my coming back this time..." Miss the Fifth suddenly spoke up, as if they had known each other for a long time.
Gu Sisi sensed something was wrong and interrupted, "Do you know who I am?"
Come to think of it, Miss the Fifth hadn't suspected her identity at the dinner table just now.
Miss the Fifth, who had been about to speak, stopped. She silently nodded and then grinned, "Why would you think I don't know who you are? Sister - in - law!"
Miss the Fifth's reply was so matter - of - fact that it really shocked Gu Sisi.
"You don't think I don't recognize you, do you?" Miss the Fifth shook her head. "I'm not like them. They're like a bunch of old - fashioned people. After all this time, they still abide by that family rule."
The memories of yesterday came flooding back. Gu Sisi asked, "Is it the one about not getting married without permission?"
Miss the Fifth sighed and nodded, "Yes! I..."
Gu Sisi didn't listen to the rest of the words, but what she heard was the voice of the third young master. It seemed that all these were real.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you." Miss the Fifth patted Gu Sisi on the back in a chivalrous manner.
But absent - minded Gu Sisi just ignored it.
She frowned tightly and asked, "You know about me even when you're not at home. Do you know where Huo Cheng is now?"
Gu Sisi was at her wit's end, so she asked someone she had just met not long ago. Moreover, this girl seemed really easy to talk to.
A look of hesitation flashed across Miss the Fifth's face, as if she had something hard to say.
Gu Sisi's expression became even more solemn. Had something really happened?
"You'd better not ask. Even if you know, there's nothing you can do." Miss the Fifth lowered her head, avoiding Gu Sisi's inquiring eyes.
"Is he okay now?" Gu Sisi grabbed Miss the Fifth's hand and managed to squeeze out these words with difficulty.
All she hoped for now was that Huo Cheng would be safe. She didn't blame Huo Cheng at all for disappearing from her world without a single word.
Miss the Fifth nodded and then shook her head, impatiently scratching her hair.
"It's hard to say. I'm not really sure."
Gu Sisi watched as the girl stood up. She quickly grabbed her clothes and pleaded, "Please tell me where he is, okay? I've been looking for him for a long time but couldn't find any news. He seems to have vanished..."
Her words were full of sadness and grievance.
Miss the Fifth felt pity. Originally, she had thought of not letting her sister - in - law worry, but now she seemed even more worried.
She sighed and sat down.
"Didn't I mention before that the family rule is not to get married without permission?" Miss the Fifth looked at Gu Sisi seriously.
After Gu Sisi thought for a while and nodded blankly.
She sighed, "Fourth brother has gone to receive punishment because he violated the family rule."
"Where?"
"The Valley of Death."
In her twenties, Gu Sisi had never heard of this place name before. But just from the name, she knew it was extremely dangerous.
"Is it a very severe punishment?" Gu Sisi tightened her grip on Miss the Fifth's hand and stared at her without blinking, afraid of missing the slightest hint of her emotions.
"Yes." Miss the Fifth finally managed to squeeze out this word. She closed her eyes and murmured to herself, "Actually, I've also thought about secretly going there to help fourth brother. But if the family members found out, the punishment for both of us would be even more severe. But I do believe in fourth..."
When Miss the Fifth opened her eyes with her mouth still open, she could only see Gu Sisi's back. She chased after her and held Gu Sisi back, "Sister - in - law, where are you going?"
Gu Sisi struggled, "Let go! I'm going to save him!"
The two tugged at each other for a while. Miss the Fifth was also worried about hurting the baby in Gu Sisi's belly. It took her a long time to control the crazy Gu Sisi.
She grabbed Gu Sisi firmly and roared in a low voice, "Are you crazy? You won't even be able to get out of the front door like this. And it will also arouse my parents' suspicion."
"But it should be okay to go and help, right?" Gu Sisi stared at her with wide eyes.
"No, but do you think it's appropriate for you in your current situation?" Miss the Fifth continued to roar. She never expected her sister - in - law to react so strongly.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have said anything at all.
Gu Sisi lost her strength. She knew what Miss the Fifth meant. Indeed, she was pregnant. She couldn't even get out of the front door, and even if she did, she was powerless.
Seeing that Gu Sisi stopped struggling, Miss the Fifth heaved a sigh of relief.
"Sister - in - law, just stay in this family at ease. Don't worry. I'll protect you and the baby in your belly. I won't let anything happen to you during the time when fourth brother is away!"